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Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting - June 10, 2024: Budget Public Hearing, Grants, and Property Exchange

City Council — Monday, June 10, 2024
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, June 10, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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3:02

Good evening, I'd like to call the June tenth, two thousand twenty-three meeting of the Greenville City Council to Order.

3:07

I'm Mayor PJ Connelly, I'll be presiding over tonight's meeting.

3:10

Uh, if you'll join me for the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, please join me for a moment of silence.

3:46

Yes, sir.

3:47

Mayor Connolly.

3:48

Here.

3:49

Mayor Tendani.

3:50

Councilmember Foreman.

3:52

Council Member Blackheart.

3:54

Present.

3:54

Council Member Stelle.

3:56

Here.

3:56

Council Member Robinson.

3:57

Here.

3:58

Councilmember Willis.

3:59

Here.

3:59

All right, Mayor Connelly have a form.

4:00

Thank you very much.

4:01

Well now move on to the approval of tonight's agenda.

4:04

Mr.

4:04

Manager.

4:04

Mayor, I have no chance.

4:10

I'd like to add a closed session.

4:11

Uh motion to be made at the end of the meeting.

4:18

Second.

4:18

All right.

4:20

Second by Mayor Pro Tim Daniels.

4:22

All those in favor say aye.

4:27

Shall now move on to our special recognition.

4:49

And Dwayne Cooper to step forward.

5:10

So each year, the city, as a way of uh giving back to our community and to the programs to help support uh various different individuals and groups within our community, we have a citywide campaign that's run by our employees to raise money to support the United Way.

5:27

This year, I'm uh proud to say that uh the city is in receipt of a couple of outstanding awards, and I am going to uh first turn it over to Dwayne Cooper, who is the president of the United Way for the presentation of the first award.

5:41

Okay.

5:41

Um good evening, and thank you guys for having me this evening.

5:44

So the first award is actually going to go to the city of Greenville.

5:48

It's a campaign spirit award and for the recognition of outstanding growth for participation in the year 23-24.

5:55

So let me just give you a few highlights very quickly.

5:58

Two years ago, the campaign uh was revitalized to a uh through leadership and a very interactive campaign committee.

6:05

This campaign this year has become our seventh largest campaign in the United Way family.

6:10

Um, it is credited for um internal employee incentives and competition to grow involvement.

6:17

Um they have provided numerous successful fundraising events throughout the year, including a silent auction, 50-50 drawing, hot dog and dessert sale, uh RAFL event, and for 21 years has had the Chili Cook-Off event that has grown exponentially over the years.

6:34

Also, this past year, the campaign grew total dollars raised by its employees given them out by over 56 percent this year, and it's still growing.

6:43

And so the spirit award this year is presented to the city of Greenville, to our Michael Cowan, and of course, Ms.

6:49

Donner.

6:52

Congratulations.

7:04

So the next award is for an exemplary team member.

7:08

Step this way.

7:09

Um, and this award goes to Wanda Martin from the engineering department.

7:13

Uh, Wanda has been uh on the city's United Way Committee for the past several years.

7:18

She has actively participated in all of our campaign events and has enthusiastically encouraged her co-workers to support the United Way.

7:27

This year she achieved 100% participation in the engineering department.

7:32

All of its employees donated through our campaign.

7:35

Wanda has also sold hundreds of tickets uh for uh United Way raffles, not just to employees but to anybody and everybody that she knows.

7:45

And additionally, she has acquired and even um made uh silent auction items for the Chili Cookoff and the hot dog sale, and has certainly been there each time we've had such an event to help with everything that goes on on those days.

8:00

She has been an exemplary member of the city's United Way committee, and she is most deserving of this recognition.

8:14

I tell you what, I would like to say uh a special thank you to all of our employees that out of the goodness of their heart have uh have decided to donate to the United Way to support the valuable programs that go on within our local community, and thank you, Dwayne, for for leading that charge for United Way and Wanda most importantly, thank you for everything that you've done, not only for engineering day in and day out, but you took a time out of your regular uh duties within the engineering department to go above and beyond to be able to support the the citizens of our community.

8:45

Thank you.

8:47

I just wanted to I want people to know what the award says.

8:50

I'm sorry, it says Team Captain Award to Wanda Martin.

8:53

This award recognize the employee campaign team captain for their outstanding leadership.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fiscal Sustainability█████████████████17%
Public Transportation███████████11%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Environmental Protection████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Arts And Culture████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting - June 10, 2024

The Greenville City Council met on June 10, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor P.J. Connelly presided. The meeting featured a public hearing on the proposed FY 2024-25 budgets, multiple contract awards, and a property exchange with the Pitt County Board of Education. Key discussions included property tax rates, bus fare reinstatement, and a new sustainability coordinator position.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 4: Authorization to receive funds from the U.S. Department of Justice Body Worn Camera Grant.
  • Item 5 (pulled for questions): Authorization to apply for a Great Trails State Grant (up to $500,000) to fund a boardwalk connection from Wildwood Park to River Park North. The project is shovel-ready with design and permits complete. Council approved this item after questions.
  • Item 6: Ordinance and reimbursement resolution amending Greenville Utilities Commission's FY 2023-24 budget and capital project budgets.
  • Item 7: Contract with The Ferguson Group for FY 2024-2025.
  • Item 8: Pitt County Arts Council at Emerge FY 2024-25 contract for services.
  • Item 9: Contract award for the 2024 Stormwater Repairs project and approval of Task Order #6 for CEI and CMT on-call contracts.
  • Item 10: Various tax refunds greater than $100. All consent items except #5 were approved unanimously (6-0). Item #5 was then approved separately (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Harris Dixon (Pitt County District Attorney) and delegation: Proposed creation of a Veterans Court, supported by a $900,000 grant (disbursed over four years). They requested letters of support and referrals from Greenville Police Department for eligible veterans with PTSD or TBI. Council members expressed full support.
  • Darcy Gwill (Down Home North Carolina): Urged the city to keep bus fares free, maintain full Saturday hours, and explore IRA funds for the Great Bus System. Stated that reinstating fares would harm homeless and low-income riders.
  • Ben (Down Home North Carolina): Supported free bus fares, citing fixed incomes and disabilities. Mentioned that larger systems like the Triangle kept buses free.
  • Dr. Yoshi Newman (Down Home NC): Reiterated the need for free or low-cost bus fares, noting the challenge of $7.25 minimum wage.
  • Sierra Isaacs (Down Home NC): Shared a story of a college student who relied on free buses to attend community college; calculated $787 in potential fares over a semester.
  • Diane Bell: Called for extended bus hours and more routes, noting reliance on expensive Ubers.
  • Kat Dale (Vice Chair, Multimodal Transportation Commission): Supported free fares and extended hours. Also urged the city to add safety features (crosswalks, bike lanes) during resurfacing projects, not just repaint existing lines.
  • Keyota Blakenley: Described transportation struggles for her son with epilepsy, noting high Lyft costs relative to wages.
  • Rebecca Powers (Relief organization): Thanked council for tree-planting partnership and supported adding more trees for sustainability.

Discussion Items

Public Hearing on FY 2024-25 Budgets and Stormwater Rate Increase

  • Presentation by CFO Jacob Joyner: Proposed total budget of $483.5 million across all funds; city general fund at $112.8 million. Key highlights: property tax rate proposed at 39.54 cents (down from 48.95 cents), which is 2.69 cents above the revenue-neutral rate (36.85 cents), generating an additional $2.97 million. The budget includes a 4% average wage increase, 3% 401k contribution, creation of a Community Engagement Coordinator ($95,000), a full-time Sustainability Coordinator ($95,000), $700,000 in public safety pay adjustments, six new fire/EMS positions, $100,000 for ADA improvements, $100,000 for sidewalk expansions, $250,000 for pedestrian safety, $375,000 for CDBG housing, and $500,000 for economic development. The stormwater utility rate increase was also presented.
  • Councilmember Willis asked about bus fares: Public Works Director Kevin Mulligan stated that reinstating $1.25 fares would generate ~$300,000/year and help fund a 54% increase in service hours (from 50 to 77 hours/week). Expanding Saturday hours further (to 8 PM) would add $225,000 in overtime. Fare-free service would require cutting expanded hours or finding alternative funding. Federal rules allow reduced fares but not free fares for some groups while charging others.
  • Councilmember Foreman asked about revenue-neutral vs. proposed increase: She advocated for revenue-neutral to avoid burdening renters and vulnerable residents, citing a housing crisis and 25% of the population earning under $25,000.
  • Councilmember Blackburn argued that the proposed increase is modest and necessary to cover inflated costs of infrastructure and public safety, noting a pipe project that tripled in cost. He rejected revenue-neutral as reckless given rising costs.
  • Councilmember Robinson defended the increase, pointing to inflation-driven property value increases and the need to fund police (25 vacancies for 2+ years) and other services.
  • Public speakers in favor of the budget: Jeff McKinnon (EAC chair), Robert Shaw (physician), Karen Zip (EAC), Yoshi Newman, Kat Dale (MTC), and Maury York all supported the budget, especially the Sustainability Coordinator, pedestrian safety funds, and ADA/sidewalk funding. Some suggested partnerships with ECU/Pitt Community College to reduce student bus fares.
  • Public speaker in opposition: David Edwards (HOA president) criticized the process, stating his property taxes would increase over 60% and accusing the city of orchestrating the revaluation to generate revenue. He demanded a revenue-neutral budget and additional appeal options.

Other Business Items

  • Item 12 – Greenfield Terrace Park Improvements: Awarded construction contract to FASCO Inc. for $1,223,500. Includes 1,000 sq ft building addition, kitchen island, playground, parking, basketball court improvements. Construction expected August 2024 to Spring 2025.
  • Item 13 – Stormwater Pipe Phase II Construction: Awarded follow-on contract to Quest Group for $2.584 million. Connects 500 feet of drainage system to Skinner Street. Expected completion June 2025.
  • Item 14 – Stormwater Phase II Inspection: Awarded construction administration/observation contract to WK Dixon for $643,700.
  • Item 15 – Reimbursement Resolution: Approved for stormwater pipe replacement, allowing city to reimburse costs from future debt issuance (targeted at $9.5 million total).
  • Item 16 – Property Exchange with Pitt County Board of Education: Approved exchange to acquire land for future Fire Rescue Station 8 on Four Lines Road. City will contribute $56,000 for pedestrian safety improvements at two school sites. Savings from land purchase will fund a new training facility.
  • Item 17 – Arts District Streetscape Project: Awarded professional services contract to Kimley-Horn for $208,089 for design and bid phase. Project funded by $875,000 Rural Transformation Grant (ARPA) for sidewalks, lighting, and a gateway arch on Dickinson Avenue.
  • Item 18 – Budget Ordinance Amendment #11: Approved, adjusting FY 2023-24 budget for BUILD grant, Greenfield Terrace, police items, arts district, and North-South Connector project. Total operating budget increased to $185.8 million.

Key Outcomes

  • All consent items (except #5) approved 6-0; amended consent approved 6-0.
  • Great Trails State Grant application authorized 6-0.
  • Greenfield Terrace Park contract awarded to FASCO Inc. 6-0.
  • Stormwater Phase II construction contract awarded to Quest Group 6-0.
  • Stormwater Phase II inspection contract awarded to WK Dixon 6-0.
  • Reimbursement resolution approved 6-0.
  • Property exchange with Pitt County Board of Education approved 6-0.
  • Arts District Streetscape design contract awarded 6-0.
  • Budget Amendment #11 approved 6-0.
  • Closed session motion approved 6-0 (to consult with attorney on three lawsuits).
  • Budget Adoption: The FY 2024-25 budget and stormwater rate increase will be voted on at the June 13, 2024 council meeting. Councilmember Foreman stated her intent to push for a revenue-neutral budget, while other members supported the proposed increase.
  • Next Steps: Staff will continue the Great Trails grant application; construction on several projects begins in coming months; council will revisit bus fare and service options based on community feedback.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, I'd like to call the June tenth, two thousand twenty-three meeting of the Greenville City Council to Order. I'm Mayor PJ Connelly, I'll be presiding over tonight's meeting. Uh, if you'll join me for the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, please join me for a moment of silence. Yes, sir. Mayor Connolly. Here. Mayor Tendani. Councilmember Foreman. Council Member Blackheart. Present. Council Member Stelle. Here. Council Member Robinson. Here. Councilmember Willis. Here. All right, Mayor Connelly have a form. Thank you very much. Well now move on to the approval of tonight's agenda. Mr. Manager. Mayor, I have no chance. I'd like to add a closed session. Uh motion to be made at the end of the meeting. Second. All right. Second by Mayor Pro Tim Daniels. All those in favor say aye. Shall now move on to our special recognition. And Dwayne Cooper to step forward. So each year, the city, as a way of uh giving back to our community and to the programs to help support uh various different individuals and groups within our community, we have a citywide campaign that's run by our employees to raise money to support the United Way. This year, I'm uh proud to say that uh the city is in receipt of a couple of outstanding awards, and I am going to uh first turn it over to Dwayne Cooper, who is the president of the United Way for the presentation of the first award. Okay. Um good evening, and thank you guys for having me this evening. So the first award is actually going to go to the city of Greenville. It's a campaign spirit award and for the recognition of outstanding growth for participation in the year 23-24. So let me just give you a few highlights very quickly. Two years ago, the campaign uh was revitalized to a uh through leadership and a very interactive campaign committee. This campaign this year has become our seventh largest campaign in the United Way family. Um, it is credited for um internal employee incentives and competition to grow involvement. Um they have provided numerous successful fundraising events throughout the year, including a silent auction, 50-50 drawing, hot dog and dessert sale, uh RAFL event, and for 21 years has had the Chili Cook-Off event that has grown exponentially over the years. Also, this past year, the campaign grew total dollars raised by its employees given them out by over 56 percent this year, and it's still growing. And so the spirit award this year is presented to the city of Greenville, to our Michael Cowan, and of course, Ms. Donner. Congratulations. So the next award is for an exemplary team member. Step this way. Um, and this award goes to Wanda Martin from the engineering department. Uh, Wanda has been uh on the city's United Way Committee for the past several years. She has actively participated in all of our campaign events and has enthusiastically encouraged her co-workers to support the United Way.

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